As hurricanes become more severe and dangerous, Lockheed Martin in Marietta will play a role in improving research for forecasts by building more advanced “hurricane hunter” aircraft.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has tapped Lockheed Martin to build C-130J Super Hercules aircraft that will be specially-equipped as hurricane hunters to fly straight into storms with specialized instruments to gather data.
The $328 million order announced last month is for two C-130Js to be built in Marietta that would join NOAA’s fleet in 2030, while options for two additional planes would bring the total to about $847 million, according to the agency.
Credit: Jenni Girtman
“Our climate is changing significantly. Severe weather is happening more frequently, and as a result, we need more capabilities,” said U.S. Deputy Commerce Secretary Don Graves , who toured the Lockheed Martin plant in Marietta on Tuesday. The research from hurricane hunter aircraft “gives us the ability to understand how these storms form, how they develop, and the impact that they have on communities.”…